Tussey Teaser #2: Tussey - Whipple 11 Miler

April 10, 2016Rothrock State Forest

It was cool but calm for this run and there was a dusting of snow on the roadsides for 37 runners en route to Whipple Dam. Patrick Singletary glided along the route to come in just 50 seconds shy of a new course record. Jeff Lynn was second and Scott Peterson was third.

In the women’s race, Meira Minard cruised in for the win, followed by Jo Ohm in second and Alexandria Housel in third.

Congratulations are due to all, but especially to runners like Ross Seagram, for whom this was his longest run ever.

Improvement-wise over last year, Jeff Schiesler improved his game by one minute, Mike Zimmerman by around 90 seconds, Tom Cali by 4 full minutes, and John Iceland by 5 minutes.

In recent years there have been “repeat” up-and-down assaults of the hill on Laurel Run Road during March’s Laurel Run Switchbacker 10K. Last month, Mike Renz did an unprecedented four (4 times 6.2 miles) ascents.

Lately on this 11-mile route, there have been some adventurous runners who put in 11 “warmup” miles from Whipple Dam to the start. Today, Jake Clements, Dan Coughlin and Lincoln Kennedy put in a respectable 22 miles.

But no one has done more than that—until today. At 5:55 a.m., Mike Renz departed from Tussey on foot for a peppy out-and-back (that’s 22 miles) before the official start. He was right on time for the group start, and completed his third 11-mile jaunt at a 9:27 pace. Note the ice on Whipple Lake behind Mike.

Hats off to two key Tusssey Teasers Series sponsors. Soon after finishing, indefatigable runner and devoted series sponsor Tom Cali, of CaliKline - RE/MAX Centre Realty, with nary a day off from work, was on his way to meet with a client. Thanks also to series sponsor Subway for the party sub, which was handily consumed by participants under clear blue skies at Whipple Dam’s stone patio.

Attendance at this series is growing. Those who run Tussey Teasers #1 through #5 (February’s Teaser #0 is a bonus) will be eligible for a special prize drawing after Teaser #5, the Eager Seeger Half Marathon.

The next Tussey Teaser is the Beidleheimer Sidewinder 10K on May 7, a bona-fide race with age- and gender-graded results and awards, team competition, tech shirts, a bus ride to the starting line, and net-elevation-loss, run on Leg 4 of the Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK course, but in reverse.